What are the best resources for fresh deconverts?

[Jolly_Penguin]

I am lucky to have never been brainwashed into religious belief. My parents were lapsed presbeterians and never urged religion on myself or my sister. I pretty much equated God to Santa at age 10. Santa seemed more credible quite honestly. But I understand that a lot of atheists, and I presume many of you are former religious people that broke free. what resources do you feel are the best for a fresh deconvert?

I personally suggest general skepticism to people, as a skeptical and rational mind just naturally gravitates away from religion. But how about questions like how should a young person handle still believing parents, if they still live at home. Is it common that kids that disowned for being apostates, etc? For a muslim family would you worry about outright murder of kids in some extreme cases? Maybe forward a book of Ayan Hirsi Ali?

I live in the very multicultural and secular Toronto, Ontario, so I'm always at a loss of what to say when people learn I'm an atheist and ask me for advice, etc for folks in the bible belt etc. What do you say?

 

[Colonel Sanders]

Here's four good sources:

1. Ken's Guide to the Bible.
It's hilarious, informative, and is excellent at pointing out the absurdity of the Bible

2. Atheism: The Case Against God, by George H. Smith. It's solid and accessible.

3. Robert Ingersoll. The guy was so inspirational, so eloquent, and so good hearted, it's hard to find fault with him. It also helps that he was espousing and promoting atheistic and agnostic view in the latter part of the 19th century, which lends an important historical context. As in, this shit ain't anything new.

4. Losing Faith in Faith by Dan Barker. It's a de-conversion story written by a former pastor with a degree in theology. Great book.

But I would discourage people from going to the internet. It's better than nothing, but a good sit-down with a book is much more powerful. Or maybe people are learning about the godless via Twitter these days? God (colloquially), I hope not.